[Midtowne Little Rock]

I am very excited about this. A high end Mexican restaurant is long overdue in this market. I have been to Cantina Laredo in other places and I think it is some of the best Mexican food I have ever had.

A "high end" restaurant with a Ladies Night (see web site)? Do they have wet t-shirt night as well?

[Midtowne Little Rock]

Have you noticed that the Container Store has a large sublet that is vacant with "For Rent" posters on the window? That makes THREE vacant spaces (along with Bombay and the large space next to it) at Midtowne. Kind of scary.

I think a spa store would be a bad move. Seems like the mall already has too much space dedicated to women. Plus, Park Plaza across the street already has that area covered with Bath Body Works and an Aveda Salon in Dillard's. What the area need is another restaurant. BADLY. And getting the state's first Apple Store wouldn't suck either.

[Midtowne Little Rock]

Not losing and sleep over Bombay either. I doubt Midtowne will struggle to fill the space, especially with Park Avenue in the future.

What happened to all the restuarants? It is a good question, and I am also anxious for more local options. The original site plans called for 5 restaruants. We got Pei Wei and Starbucks. Cantina Laredo and a local restaraunt were mentioned early for the development, but have not materialized. In the DOG interview about Park Avenue last week, Strode said he has plans to bring in two more restaraunt tenants. It sounds to me like Midtowne will eventually wind up with four restaruants.

The vacant space on the corner next to Bombay has been getting some attention lately. Appears to be a restaurant under construction, though the glass has no sign or indication of what is to come. Anyone know?

In other news, appears the arsonist are back. Another house behind MidTowne (on North Pierce) burned last night. The seventh in the area. Only this one didn't appear to be vacant like the previous shacks.

[Midtowne Little Rock]

Bombay to Close. Link.

No surprise that this company is going under. Glad it'll be gone from Midtowne Mall, since it's not on the same level as Pottery Barn/Williams Sonoma. But concerned about the vacant space. Well, maybe I can get some cheap bamboo coasters for 75% off at the going-out-of-business sale?

And what happened to all the restaurants that were supposed to come to this mall??

[Midtowne Little Rock]

When I've been in the store recently, I've seen Whole Foods polo shirts on the cashiers. It is interesting to see how quickly the two seem to be merging. The last article I saw indicated that the merge had to be approved due to the potential for a monopoly. It is been a while since I read that, so maybe it is resolved.

IMO every Whole Foods store that I've been in is superior to The Fresh Market.

Relocation. Relocation.Relocation.

How about Park Avenue?

the merger was approved back in August and Whole Foods started closing some Wild Oats back in September. Good sign that the LR location is still open.

Link

But are they still considering a move to Midtowne Mall? And does any one know what is being built on the outparcel at Midtowne Mall at the corner of Pierce & Markham? Construction crew has been pretty busy there lately. Looks big enough to be a grocery store. (Please, God. Please.)